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Despite new law, distracted driving remains a danger

The Missouri State Highway patrol works to stop and educate distracted drivers.
The Missouri State Highway patrol works to stop and educate distracted drivers.
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Published 11:11 am

By Jenna Wilson

It only takes a few seconds of checking a text of turning to speak with a backseat passenger while behind the wheel for a tragedy to occur. 

Distracted driving is something Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper John Harrison has seen the dangerous results of firsthand.

“Unfortunately, I’ve seen several fatalities over the years and numerous serious injury crashes as a result of distracted driving,” he said.

About 3,300 people nationwide died in 2022 from distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. From 2019 to 2023 in Missouri, 412 fatalities were attributed to distracted driving, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. Since 2014, cell-phone related accidents across the state increased 31%. 

Watch News-Press NOW on Sunday starting at 5 p.m. on NBC 21 KNPG and CBS 30 KCJO for Jenna Wilson’s special report on distracted driving. 

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